Delivering Care for the Underserved During COVID-19 Through Real-Time Teledermatology: A Cross-Sectional Review of Patients at a Student-Run Free Clinic in Dallas
August 2021
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
Studysummary In this study, both physician and patient reports revealed that more severe alopecia areata was associated with higher emotional symptoms and greater activity limitations among patients.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document discusses a cross-sectional review of teledermatology appointments at a student-run free clinic (SRFC) in Dallas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted over a 10-week period, during which 117 telehealth appointments were scheduled. Of these, 67 (57%) were completed. The most common complaints were unspecified rashes/dermatitis (31%), neoplasms (26%), pigmentary disorders (18%), and acneiform disorders (17%). Established patients were more likely to complete their visit (77%) compared to new patients (52%). The study concludes that the demand for affordable care provided by free clinics has increased during the pandemic due to job losses, and further studies are needed to explore whether real-time teledermatology could increase access to care in underserved populations.
